What’s The Difference Between Glass and Window Glazing?
In recent years, more and more homeowners have started to appreciate window glazing because of its physical look and accentuating certain features of a home. Glazed windows & doors absorb natural light, making it the perfect solution for a room lacking natural light.
However, the fine line between glass and window glazing is one noteworthy detail. While each material has its own perks, both are in leagues of their own.
Glass Glazing
Glass glazing is similar to regular glass but with a better thermal jacket. It has low emissivity (low-E) coatings, making it more tolerable against heat and cold. Glass glazing can also be made opaque or transparent.
This type of glazing is usually heavier compared to glass and requires more support when installed in a home. Most people prefer to use glass glazing to make their home exterior more wind-resistant and durable.
Window Glazing
Like glass, window glazing is also made from a thin layer of glass. However, some traits set it apart from glass. For instance, window glazing is a stronger type of glazing mainly because it has more layers of glass. This makes it more resistant to breaking, cracking, and shattering.
Another trait is its durability. With added layers, it's more tolerant against extreme temperatures and weather conditions, making it effective against the strong winds of western Australia.
Choosing the Right Glaze
A common misconception is that the glaze is simply a layer of coating added to the glass or window. This isn't true because there are factors to consider when choosing the glaze treatment. These include:
- Your Home or Business Location
- Building Design
- Window Size
- Building Materials
- Energy Efficiency
Glazing Standards
The most common types of glazing are:
Single Glazing
Single-glazing is made from two panes of glass with an air space between them. This is a perfect low-cost option, if you don’t mind sacrificing energy efficiency and comfort.
Double Glazing
Double glazing is the current standard in glazed windows.
This type of glazing has two layers of glass and a space filled with air or gas. The two glass panes can also be filled with a material such as argon, krypton, or xenon. Different types of gas are used to adjust the thermal performance of the glazing.
Double glazing offers the same benefits as single glazing, in addition to reducing moisture on window panes and noise within your home or office.
What's even better is that almost any type of window can be double-glazed, including:
- Awning Windows
- Casement Windows
- Fixed Windows
- Sliding Windows
Triple Glazing
Triple-glazing has three layers of glass and an air space between them, and can be combined with other glazing standards to improve energy efficiency, safety, and more.
Passive and Active Glazing
Passive glazing is designed with a low-emissivity thermal barrier to prevent heat loss, and most common with double and triple glazing.
On the other hand, active glazing blocks unwanted UV rays, preventing. It also prevents heat loss.
Should You Get It?
Even though many homeowners are now welcoming the glass glazing trend, it's still a big investment.
With that in mind, glazing is a long-term investment. Thus, you should consider the type of glazing your windows need before purchasing.
Still unsure if glazing is the right choice for your home or office? Check out this checklist:
Glaze or Replace?
Glazing is a good option if you're not ready to replace your old windows just yet. It’s a cheaper alternative to replacing entire windows, and offers the same added strength as new windows.
Replace or Repair?
If you want to save money, you might want to consider repairing your old windows instead of replacing them.
This is especially true if the broken parts are still working properly, but lack visual appeal. Glazing can give your windows a face lift.
Insulate or Glaze?
If your home's windows are properly insulated, you might want to consider glazing to add more energy efficiency to your home. However, if your home is poorly insulated, glazing is not guaranteed to solve your energy issues.
Adding glazing treatment to your home or office windows is a great way to increase energy efficiency. However, you might want to consider more factors before making a decision. This way, you'll be able to choose the best glazing treatment for your needs.
If you’re looking for custom glazed glass in Karratha, Profix Glass has got your back! We offer the best quality of glazed glass for commercial & residential use, all for affordable prices. Give us a call at 08 9185 5550 or contact us to learn more!